Absence
Song: Gone So Long by Breathe Caroline
(A/N: Such a weird pairing for me...)
Ari
Ice blue eyes crinkling, Angel smiled. I ran my fingers over her impossibly smooth skin. Her small, petite hand grasped mine. Over the lake, the last warmth of sun threatened to vanish. The water was black and blue, shiny and smoother than glass. So fragile, so delicate.
"Ari..." Angel trailed off. I waited for her to finish. We'd come so far since we were kids. She was fifteen now, blond hair cut in a medium-length abundance of perfect, glossy ringlets. Her legs were tan from the summer's heat. A flower-printed sundress rested over all her curves. "Do you think this'll last?"
Her long, blond lashes skimmed her cheeks when she closed her eyes.
"Why wouldn't it?" I asked, almost snarling. Once an Eraser, you're never the same.
"Max still doesn't know."
The mention of my sister made me shudder. As a child, she was all I'd ever want to be: so strong, powerful, and a leader worth admiring. That is, until she'd killed me. Admittedly, I'd been wrong to join Jeb and his goons and chose to become an Eraser, but I still hated that she had been the one to end my life the first time. She was my sister. After all that, I still wanted to be like her. I kissed Angel's nose, and her rosy pink lips lifted at the corners in a smile.
That was four years ago. I hadn't seen Angel since the day I took off. I left her a note. I had to leave - I was needed elsewhere. I told myself that she would wait. As I returned, I realized how long it had been. The house that Angel lived in echoed with childish, high-pitched squeals. Maybe Nudge was visiting with her little boy, Adrian. I walked to the door and landed a firm knock on the door. A man answered, Angel flanking his left side. He was tall, with blue eyes and black hair swooping to one side.
"Who is it, Devon?" she asked. I glanced at her. Was this her husband? She was nineteen! Angel's swollen belly revealed that she was expecting. Hurt smashed my spirits into solid concrete. A young girl, maybe two, skipped up to Angel. She was a reflection of her mother. No wings, though. A new life, new house, new ...love?
"Ari." Angel said breathelessly. Devon raised his eyebrows.
"You know him?"
"Yes." she answered plainly. Through evasive maneuvers, I managed to get Angel alone for a moment's talk.
"You said you would wait for me." Hostility cut ragged snaps into my tone.
"Ari, it was so long ago." Angel said wistfully.
"When did you meet him." I clenched my jaw. Angel started, "Ari, you can't really-"
"When?" I demanded, a little louder than intended.
"Four months after you left."
Tears filled my eyes. Here was my only love, the girl I wanted to make mine forever... telling me that it was too long.
"I'm sorry, Ari." Angel said.
"Save it," I said, pointing a finger at her. "I loved you."
The weight of the world had never felt so heavy.